"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." C.S. Lewis

Monday started off feeling like Spring time! It got up to 60 degrees and I found myself driving around Downtown Portsmouth with my windows down! It was my first time in the area and I have to say I would love to go back! I am still in training for my new job, but I am learning so much each and every day! After work I went home to enjoy the sunshine by going for a 4.5 mile run outside! I don't know what inspired me, but I completed it in 36 minutes. After kind of a roller coaster week with putting in offers in trying to purchase our first house I think I had a little built up stress that I was able to release on this perfect January - 60 degree - run! "Exercise is good for your mind, body, and soul." - Susie Michelle Cortright

Tuesday was another busy day with work and I spent the day again in the Portsmouth area! After work I came home and used my new trainer that my road bike hooks right into and sits upstairs in what I call my: Homemade Gym! I road for 45 minutes and did a series of different lifting exercise for abs and arms. For example I did 10 reps of hammer curls superset with 10 pushups while balancing my shins on an exercise ball. I did 3 sets of theses. This engages your entire core along with your shoulders, back and gluteus. After this energizing workout I went to the USM basketball game to watch one of my best friends continue their undefeated streak. It was really nice to see Nicole and spend some quality time with my Dad. After the game we went over to Stockhouse for wing night and to catch up a little bit because I have been so busy with starting my new job and continuing the house hunt!

Wednesday morning started off nice and snowy! It took me a half hour to get to the branch for work and it is less than 10 miles from my house. It sure is a beautiful sight as the snow falls before it gets all dirty! There is something so calming about a gorgeous snowfall! I got up early to get in my workout. I started by doing some of my Physical Therapy exercises for the plantar fasciitis in both my feet, then I used my foam roller to loosen up my muscles and I hopped on the treadmill for a half hour run! Before heading to work I am still continuing to make a protein smoothie every morning for breakfast! Today I made one with strawberries, blueberries & banana! Yum! As I was finishing up my day at work I was taking a virtual class and the teacher asked us to state where we live and it was really neat to know people from all over the U.S. were on the line learning as I was. The best part was the teacher asked me if I made a mistake when I said Portland, Maine and meant Portland, Oregon! HAHA!

Thursday was another busy day at the branch! I woke up to the sunshine and the snow resting so gently on the trees! What a beautiful sight! We find our happiness in the smallest places sometimes! I spent the morning at the branch shadowing the people working at the desk and on the phones to get to know what they do and how the branch works! It is amazing how experienced all of the people that work there are! They have all been with the company for a minimum of 9 years! Pretty amazing when you think about all of the knowledge that they have and I look forward to working closely with them to pick their brains!  I got to spend the afternoon doing work from home and got to spend some quality time with my sister! We both have such busy schedules we like to make time at least once a week to catch up! We ended up doing work together until 8:30 at night! It’s the best feeling knowing she’s not just my sister, but she’s my best friend!

Friday I was able to again work from home taking more virtual classes and continuing to learn more about my new Company! In between classes I got in a nice 30 minute bike and 30 minute run from my Homemade Gym, again! Once my classes were finished we packed up the car and Cynthia and I headed to Bethel for the weekend where my parents have a timeshare for the next 2 weeks! We love going up there to spend quality family time playing games, snowshoeing, xc-skiing and enjoying the winter season! We didn’t get up until 7:30 but we cooked a yummy taco dinner for my parents once we arrived and spent the night sitting around the fire doing a puzzle and having lots of laughs!

Saturday we woke up to a light snow and we headed out for a 90 minute snowshoe with my girls! When we came back dad had made eggs and bacon! YUM!

We spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing, playing cribbage, watching movies and we even walked down to the bar at The Bethel Inn to have a beverage while watching some hockey! By the time we got back we had a delicious chili for dinner and the games began! We started with Spoons!

Then we moved on to JENGA!

And we ended the night with some pool down at the Inn!

Sunday was definitely a day of rest! We had a relaxing morning reading the paper, challenging each other to the Sudoku and more card games! Cynthia and I headed home around 12 to take a nap and get ready for the Football games! I took today off from exercise and am excited for the week ahead! Sometimes a day off can give your body just what it needs to push that much further.Every day is a new beginning. Treat it that way. Stay away from what might have been and look at what can be! Remember to work hard this week and keep pushing yourself! I’m sure your weeks are probably as jam packed as mine are, but it’s all about the decisions we make that assist us in reaching our goals - physically, mentally and emotionally. NOTHING WILL WORK UNLESS YOU DO! Don’t expect someone else to go out and reach your goals for you. I promise you every step you take toward your dreams will be worth your while!